The World of Reed Krakoff

The designer shares the inspirations behind his Fall 2014 collection.

I'm always looking at different areas of art and design, getting inspired by how things are put together and why," Reed Krakoff says of how he assimilates a diverse range of influences into his work. "It's about changing what your eye sees and keeping it moving." Krakoff's most recent collection for his namesake line is a prime example of that process in action: Minimalist, pan-seasonal pieces meet luxury fabrications and painterly palettes. Until last year he was the executive creative director of Coach, where he ruled the roost for 16 years before leaving to focus on his own brand. He has also made forays into furniture (his designs were featured at the Milan Furniture Fair in April), and he's a prolific photographer (he's currently shooting a number of female artists, including Julie Mehretu, Elliott Puckette, and Tatiana Trouvé, for his second book with Assouline). In every respect, Krakoff is a true curator, a fact that's evident both in his work and in his life. Here, he breaks down what he was looking at and surrounded by while creating his collection.

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"Joseph Beuys took felt and created clothing and household objects, wrapping bottles and even a piano with it. I like that play between industrial and organic. We also did a collection of gray felt chairs with a geometric plywood frame inspired by his work."

"Joseph Beuys took felt and created clothing and household objects, wrapping bottles and even a piano with it. I like that play between industrial and organic. We also did a collection of gray felt chairs with a geometric plywood frame inspired by his work."

"Ettore Sottsass defined the Memphis school. His approach to furniture and industrial design was very geometric and graphic, and combined a lot of color with black-and-white. You can see his influence in these bangles."